Table construction



Dec, 10, 1968 THQRESEN ET AL 3,415,208

TABLE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 14. 1967 INVENTORS 624/ 0 a r 7Zo/ese/7 Mara/f 720M986 l5) y/vn-w &A4Q ATTORNEYS DeC. 10, 1968 G THQRE$EN ET AL 3,415,208

TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 14, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNYENTORS Gunnar T/wre sen Tho/-00 Tho/"e660 gag ATTORNEYS BY h- 73 Dec. 10, 1968 G.THORESEN ET AL 3,415,208

TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 14, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Gun/var 7Z0/"e6e/7 7Zora/1 7Z'are-se/7 BY a L (a Z 2 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,415,208 TABLE CONSTRUCTION Gunnar Thoresen, Medinah, and Thoralf Thoresen, Itasca,

Ill., assignors, by mesne assignments, of one-half each to Gunnar Thoresen, Medinah, and Thoralf Thoresen,

Itasca, Ill.

Filed Apr. 14, 1967, Ser. No. 630,900 9 Claims. (Cl. 108-94) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A circular, multi-level terraced table supported by a central pedestal and two pairs of legs which are expandibly connected by dovetailed table slides. The upper levels of the table are rotatable relative to the supports and the lower level. The lower and middle levels are hinged and the table is foldable in such a manner as to present a front surface having the appearance of a semi-circular arch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention relates to table constructions and more particularly to a foldable terraced table with rotatable central levels. The invention provides a pedestal and leg supported, three-level, circular terraced table, the first two levels of which are rotatable relative to the pedestal and leg supports and the third level. The middle and bottom levels are adapted to be foldable in such a manner that the underside of the bottom level will present an archshaped surface as the front view of the table in its folded position.

Summary This invention provides a circular terraced table having an open erected and a folded storage position. The table has three concentric terrace levels, the upper two of which are rotatable. The table is supported by a central pedestal and four legs. The two rotatable levels are supported through a ball bearing race on the central pedestal, while the lower level is supported by the four legs which are arranged in pairs, the pairs being expandibly connected by two dovetailed table slides, which extend through and are anchored to open channels in a pedestal supported cross member. Each of the three levels of the table is circular and are separated by two frusto-conical collars, the first of which is between the upper level and the middle level, and the second of which is between the middle level and the lower level. The middle level has a central aperture, the diameter of which is the same as the diameter of the bottom of the frustp-conical collar between it and the upper level. The botom level has a central aperture, the diameter of which is the same as the diameter of the bottom of the frusto-conical collar between it and the middle level.

The bottom level of the table is split along its diameter at right angles to the dovetailed table slides. The middle level is split and hinged along two parallel cords spaced from the central aperture. The two leaves thus provided in the middle level can be folded upwardly until they rest against the sides of the upper level. The lower level can be pulled apart by means of the expandible table slides. The two sections of the lower level are hinged on cross members connecting the legs in each pair and can be folded upwardly on these hinges until they reach a vertical position, whereby the undersides of the lower level sections are exposed and present a semi-circular archshaped surface.

After the two sections of the lower level have been folded into their vertical position, they can then be 3,415,208 Patented Dec. 10, 1968 pushed together through the utilization of the dovetailed table slides into the table storage position. In the storage position, the undersides of the two sections of the lower level thus present opposed parallel faces in an arch shape.

It is then an object of this invention to provide a multi-level terraced table with rotatable and non-rotatable levels.

It is :a further object of this invention to provide a multi-level terraced table which is adapted to be folded for storage.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a circular multi-level table with rotating and non-rotating levels which is adapted to be folded for storage.

It is a further and more specific object of this invention to provide a multi-level circular table having rotatable and non-rotatable levels which is adapted to be folded for storage in such a way that the front view of the table in its folded storage position presents a first surface having a semi-circular arch shape.

It is another and more specific object of this invention to provide a multi-level circular terraced table supported by a central pedestal and four legs which has rotatable and non-rotatable levels and which is adapted to be folded for storage in such a manner that the underside surfaces of the bottom level present front and back views in the stored position having a semi-circular arch shape.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a multi-level terraced table having rotatable and non-rotatable levels supported by a central pedestal having movable wheels which may be engaged and disengaged by lifting up one side or the other of the pedestal, the table being adapted to be folded for storage and presenting front and back views and the stored position having semicircular arch-shaped surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the table of this invention in its open erected position with underlying portions shown by broken lines;

FIGURE 2 is a side plan view of the table of this invention in its open erected position, showing by means of broken lines, the folded position of the middle and lower levels;

FIGURE 3 is a side plan view of the table of this invention in its folded storage position;

FIGURE 4 is a front plan view of the table of FIG- URE 3 taken at right angles to the view of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional plan view taken along the line VV of FIGURE 2 with a portion broken away to show underlying portions;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the central cross member of the table of this invention;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the table of this invention taken along the lines VI-VI of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the lines VIIVII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the lines IXIX of FIGURE 5 showing the wheels of the central pedestal in table-supporting position; and

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9, but sho ing the wheels in storage position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGURE 1, the reference numeral 10 refers generally to a table embodying the principles of the present invention. The table is circular and consists of three levels, a bottom level 11, a middle level 12 and a top level 13. The levels are concentric, with the top level 13 having the smallest diameter.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the levels 11, 12 and 13 are perpendicularly spaced by two frusto-conical collars 14 and 15. The collar 14 is between the top level 13 and the middle level 12 while the collar 15 is between the middle level 12 and the bottom level 11. The collars 14 and 15 have frusto-conical1y tapered exterior circumferential walls, but non-tapered parallel interior circumferential Walls, the base portions of the collars being wider than the top portions.

The table 10 is supported by a central pedestal 16 and four legs 17. The four legs 17 are arranged in two pairs of two legs each, with the legs in each pair being connected by braces 18 and 19. The braces 18 and 19 are in spaced parallel relation and are joined together by two multi-slat dovetailed table slides 20 and 21. The legs 17 terminate in casters 17a.

The bottom level 11 consists of a plastic laminated or the like disk 27 which has a central aperture. The diameter of the central aperture of the disk 27 is equal to the exterior diameter of the bottom portion of the frustoconical collar 15. A strip of edge molding 22 is secured around the outer circumferential edge of the disk 27. The strip 22 preferably has a curved outer circumference and has an axial height greater than the axial height of the disk 27, thereby creating a rounded lip around the outer ciurcumference of the level 11. A second circular strip of radially thin molding 23 is attached to the bottom surface of the disk 27 at its outer circumference. The outer circumferential diameter of the molding 23 is slightly less than the outer circumferential diameter of the molding 22. The upper corner of the outer circumferential edge of the molding 23 is chamfered, thus providing a groove around the outer circumference of the level 11.

The bottom level 11 is split along a diameter 26 parallel to the leg braces 18 and 19. The diametrical split thus provides two semi-circular arch-shaped ring sections 11a and 1112 which together comprise the level 11.

Mounting blocks 24 are secured to the bottom face of the semi-circular arch-shaped ring sections 11a and 11b and are positioned above the leg braces 18 and 19. Hinges 25 are secured to the under surface of the mounting blocks 24 and to the surfaces of the leg braces 18 and 19 which face the central aperture, with the mounting blocks 24 of section 1111 being secured by the hinges 25 to the leg brace 18 and the mounting blocks 24 of section 11b being secured by the hinges 25 to the leg brace 19.

The middle level 12 consists of a plastic laminated WOOd or the like disk 28 which has a central aperture. The diameter of the central aperture of the disk 28 is equal to the outside dameter of the bottom of the frustoconical collar 14. A strip of molding 29 is fastened around the outer circumferential edge of the disk 28. The molding strip 29 is of the same construction as the molding strip 22.

The middle level 12 is split along two parallel cords 30 and 31. The cords 30 and 31 are spaced from the central aperture of the disk 28. The two parallel cord splits 30 and 31 thus divide the level 12 into three sections 12a, 12b, and 120, with the section 12b containing the central aperture of the disk 28. The three sections 12a, 12b and 120 are joined together by concealed hinges 60, the section 12a being hinged to the section 12b along the cord 30 and the section 12c being hinged to the section 1217 along the cord 31.

The level 13 consists of a plastic laminated wood or the like disk 32 which has a rounded upper circumferential edge. A strip of edge molding 33 of a construction similar to the molding strips 22 and 29 is fastened to the top of the frusto-conical collar 14 axially below the disk 32. The bottom circumferential diameter of thedisk 32 is greater than the inner diameter of the strip.33 so that a circumferential outer marginal portion of the disk 32 overlaps a portion of the molding strip 33.

The levels 12 and 13 are rotatably supported on the pedestal 16. The pedestal 16 is hollow and has an access 75 door 35 in one of its four sides. A cross member 36 is fastened on top of the pedestal 16. As best shown in FIGURE 5, the cross member 36 consists of two spacedapart rectangular pieces 37 and 38 which may be of wood. The upper rectangular piece 37 has longitudinal flanges 39 and 40 extending outwardly from the center portions of its shorter sides. The longitudinal flanges 39 and 40 have tongues 41 formed along the center portion of their longitudinal sides. Hollow blocks 42, 43 and 44 are positioned between the rectangular pieces 37 and 38. The blocks 42 and 44 are positioned at either end of the rectangular pieces 37 and 38 While the block 43 is positioned in the center of the rectangular pieces 37 and 38. The blocks 42, 43 and 44 are of the same width as the rectangular pieces 37 and 38. Open channels 45 and 46 are left between the blocks 42, 43 and 44, the channel 45 being between the block 42 and the block 43 while the channel 46 is between the block 43 and the block 44. Right angle braces 61 are athxed to the undersides of the flanges 39 and 4t) and to the sides of the blocks 42 and 44 with the right angle corner of the braces 61 at the junction of the flanges 39 and the blocks 42 and 44 which form the side walls of the cross member 36. The braces 61 give vertical support to the flanges 39. The cross member 36 has a central aperture 47 through it, with the aperture extending through the hollow block 43.

A circular disk 48 is aflixed above the center portion of the cross member 36. A circular ball bearing race 49 is affixed to the top of the disk 48. A second circular disk 50 is afiixed on top of the circular ball bearing race 49 so that the disk 50 is rotatable relative to the stationary disk 43. Two spaced apart parallel rotatable cross members 51 are aflixed on top of the disk 50.

The rotatable cross members 51 have relatively short trunk portions 52 with longitudinal arm portions 53 extending at right angles from the bottom portion of the trunk portion 52. The arms 53 have a horizontal top surface 54 and a tapered bottom surface 55 so that the arms 53 are wider at the trunk portions 52 than they are at their longitudinal ends.

A disk 56 is fastened on top of the rotatable cross members 51. The disk 56 has a diameter equal to the interior diameter of the frusto-conical collar 14 and is fastened to the interior surface of the frusto-conical collar 14 by means of a circumferential tongue and slot joint 57 near the top of the collar 14. The disk 56 extends axially above the frusto-conical collar 14 by an amount equal to the height of the molding strip 33 which is attached to the top of the collar 14. The disk 32 of level 13 is fastened on top of the disk 56.

The bottom of the frusto-conical collar 14 rests on the upper surfaces 54 of the arms 53 of the rotatable cross member 51. The disk 28 of the level 12 is joined to the frusto-conical collar 14 by a tongue and slot joint 58 located near the bottom of the outer circumference of the frusto-conical collar 14. The bottom surface 59 of the disk 28 also rests on the top surfaces 54 of the arms 53 of the rotatable cross member 51. It can thus be seen that when the disk 50 rotates relative to the disk 48, the levels 12 and 13 of the table 10 also rotate.

The two multi-slat dovetailed table slides 20 and 21 extend through the open channels 45 and 46 of the cross member 36. One of the central slats of the slides 21 and 20 is taller than the other slats and is fastened at its top and bottom to the rectangular pieces 37 and 38 of the cross member 36. The outside slat on one side of each slide is aflixed to the leg brace 18 on one end of each slide, while the outside slat on the other side of each slide 21 and 20 is affixed to the leg brace 19 on the other end of the slide. In this manner, the leg braces 18 and 19 can be pulled apart from each other and pushed in toward each other while remaining connected by the slides 21 and 20.

The bottom faces of the two ring sections 11a and 1117 are connected to the leg braces 18 and 19 by the hinges and the mounting blocks 24. Therefore, it can be seen that when the leg braces 18 and 19 are pulled apart, the two ring sections 11a and :11]: also separate at the diametrical split 26.

The frusto-conical collar 15 is attached to the two ring sections 11a and 1112 by a tongue and groove joint 66 around the outer circumference of the collar 15 near its bottom. The collar 15 is also split at the diameter 26 so that when the two ring sections 11a and 11b are pulled apart, the collar 15 also separates and follows the two sections 11a and 11b. In the closed position of the table 10, portions of the bottom surface of the two sections 11a and 11b, adjacent the diametrical split 26, rest on the top surface of the flanges 39 and of the cross member 36.

The table 10 can be folded into its storage position by folding the two sections 12a and 120 of level 12 upwardly on their concealed hinges until a point on the top surfaces of the sections 12a and 120 comes in contact with the molding strip 33 of level 13. The leg braces 18 and 19 are then pulled apart until the two ring sections 11a and 11b of level 11 are clear of the flanges 39 and 40 of the cross member 36. The two ring sections 11a and 11b of level 11 are then folded upwardly on the hinges 25 until they reach a vertical positioning in spaced parallel relationship with each other. Because the hinges 25 are on the interior edges of the leg braces 18 and 19, the two ring sections of level 11 are folded so that the underside surfaces of the sections 11a and 11b of level 11 become the outer front faces of the table 10 in its folded position. The leg braces 18 and 19 are then pushed toward each other until the table is in its full folded storage position.

As best shown in FIGURE 4, because the original shape of level 11 is that of a wide band ring or a disk with a central aperture, the bottom surfaces of the two ring sections 11a and 11b are semi-circular arches which become upstanding arches when in their folded position. The underside surfaces of the sections 11a and 11b of the level 11 may be painted a distinctive color in order to increase the distinctiveness of the arch shape.

As best shown in FIGURE 7, in order to prevent the molding strip 29 of level 12 from rubbing against the top of the frusto-conical collar 15 when the level 12 is rotated, wheels 70, which may be of rubber, are mounted on axles 71 secured to axle mounting blocks 72 which are fastened to the underside surface of the frusto-conical collar 15. The bottom surface of the disk 28 of level 12 rides on the wheels and the molding strip 29 cannot contact the top of the frusto-conical collar 15. A plurality of the wheels 70 are spaced circumfereutially around the inside surface of the frusto-conical collar 15.

Provision may be made for the attachment of electrical outlets on the outside of the frusto-conical collar 14 or on the top of the disk 32 of level 13. Central apertures 74 and are formed in the disks 48 and 50. The diameter of the central aperture 74 in the disk 48 is preferably the same as the diameter of the central aperture 47 in the rectangular piece 37 of the cross member 36. The central aperture 47 in the rectangular piece 38 of the cross member 36 preferably has a diameter larger than the diameter of the central aperture 47 of the piece 37. The central aperture 75 of the disk 50 preferably has a diameter less than the central aperture 74 of the disk 48.

A standard commercial electrical fixture 76 is fastened in the aperture 75 in the disk 50. The electrical fixture 76 has a closed top 77 and an open bottom 78. A flange 79 extends outwardly from the open bottom 78 and is fastened to the bottom surface of the disk 50'. A short piece of electrical conduit 80 may be secured by means of nuts 81 or the like through an opening in the closed top 77 of the fixture 76.

A commercially obtainable electrical swivel joint 83 and cord recoil container 82 is fastened to the flange 79 of the fixture 76. The electrical swivel joint 83 allows the electrical fixture 76 to be rotated along with the disk 50 without rotating the cord recoil container 82. A plug-in electrical cord 84 can then pass out through an aperture 85 in one side of the pedestal 16. Electric wires 86 are then drawn up from the swivel joint 83 through the fixture 76 and the conduit 80. The wires 86 can then be attached to any desired electrical outlets in the frusto-conical collar 14 or on the disk 32.

As shown in FIGURE 8, in order to more securely brace the two ring sections 11a and 11b of level 11 when the table is in its open erected position, the section 11a of the level 11 has a tongue 98 which fits into a slot 91 in the other section 11b of level 11 at the diametrical split 26. In addition, blocks 92 are fastened by means of screws 93 or the like to the under surfaces of the ring sections 11a and 11b near the diametrical split 26. The blocks 92 have grooves 94 in the ends which face the diametrical split 26. The tongues 41 of the flanges 39 and 40 of the cross member 36 will then engage the grooves 94 of the blocks 92 when the table is in its open erected position and the portions of the underside surfaces of the ring sections 11a and 1112, between the blocks 92, will rest on the top surfaces of the flanges 39 and 40.

As shown in FIGURE 5, wheels 95 are provided at the bottom of the pedestal 16 to aid in moving the table. Wheel mounting blocks 96 are secured to the inside faces of the sides of the pedestal 16 near the bottom thereof. The wheels 95 ride on a common axle 97 which extends beyond the wheels 95 and is mounted in grooves in the Wheel mounting blocks 96.

As shown in FIGURES 9 and 10, the wheel mounting blocks 96 have U-shaped grooves 98 for receiving the ends of the axle 97. The U-shaped grooves 98 have one long leg 99 and one short leg 100 with a horizontal bight portion 101 parallel with the bottom of the pedestal 16. The wheels 95 have a radius greater than the distance from the top of the short leg 100 to the bottom of the pedestal 16, but less than the distance from the top of the long leg 99 to the bottom of the pedestal 16. It can therefore be seen that when one side of the pedestal 16 is lifted up so that the bight portion 101 is not horizontal to the floor, the axle 97 will fall into the bight portion 101 and will roll to the low end of the bight portion. Thereafter, when the pedestal 16 is lowered, the axle 97 will be forced into one of the legs 99 or -100 in the grooves 98. If the axle 97 is in the short leg 100 of the grooves 98, the pedestal 16 will be raised off the floor and able to ride on the wheels 95. However, if the axle 97 is in the long leg 99 of the grooves 98, then the lowering of the pedestal 16 will only push the axle 97 up higher in the grooves 98, and the pedestal will not be able to ride on the wheels 95.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent granted hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

We claim as our invention:

1. A foldable table with a rotatable central top portion surrounded by a stationary ring portion which comprises:

a central upright pedestal,

a horizontal cross member fixedly carried by said pedestal,

a pair of expandable table slides carried on opposite sides of said pedestal by said cross member and adapted to extend laterally from both sides of the cross member,

horizontal transverse leg braces connected to the expandable ends of both slides,

vertical legs depending from the leg braces, a pair of mating table top ring segments hinged to said leg braces for movement from horizontal operative position to upright storage positions,

a central table top assembly rotatably carried by said pedestal and adapted to be surrounded by said table top ring segments in the operative position of said table,

said rotatable top assembly including hinged table top portions adapted to swing from horizontal operative position to upright storage positions, said table top ring segments mating together in horizontal position to provide an annular stationary table top surrounding the rotatable table top assembly, and said ring segments and hinged rotatable portions being foldable into upright positions whereby the leg braces may be moved toward the central pedestal to provide a narrow folded position for the table.

2. The table of claim 1 wherein the table top ring segments are at a lower level than the rotatable central table top assembly and have upright collars around their inner peripheries spanning the gap between the two levels of the table top.

3. The table of claim 1 wherein the rotatable central table top assembly includes a terraced top With a high level central portion surrounded by a lower level portion including the hinged top portions.

4. The table of claim 1 including a hollow central pedestal and cross member with an electrical swivel joint between the cross member and the rotatable top portion for supplying electrical current to the rotatable top portion.

5. The table of claim 1 wherein the rotatable top por tion is carried on anti-friction bearings from the stationary cross member.

6. The table of claim 1 wherein the central pedestal has retractable wheel units having an operative position for transporting the table and a retracted position allow ing the pedestal to engage the floor, said wheel units being shiftable between the extended and retracted positions by tilting the pedestal.

7. A terrace top foldable table with a rotatable central top portion which comprises:

an upright central pedestal, leg units on opposite sides of said central pedestal adapted to move from storage positions closely adjacent the pedestal to operative positions spaced laterally outwardly from the pedestal,

semi-circular table top ring segments hinged to said leg units and adapted to swing from horizontal opera.- tive positions to upright storage positions,

said ring segments mating together to provide an annular table top,

a rotatable table top carried by said pedestal at a level above the ring segments, and said rotatable top having hinged portions adapted to swing from horizontal operative positions to upright storage positions,

said table in operative position providing a rotatable table top surrounded by and at a higher level than a stationary table top, and said table in folded position having the ring segments and rotatable hinged portions in upright positions accommodating movements of the leg units into proximity with the pedestal and providing a pleasing storage position with the upright ring segments providing upright arches.

8. The table of claim '7 wherein the hinge connections between the leg units and the ring segments are spaced from the ends of the segments so that in their upright storage positions portions of the segments will depend from the leg units.

9. The table of claim 7 wherein the rotatable table top is terraced.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 60,841 1/1867 Dust 108-94 182,787 10/1876 Adams 108-99 1,183,114 5/1916 Ramsell et al 10894 1,584,621 5/1926 Lovato 108-104 2,260,371 10/1941 Forsberg 10899 2,589,719 3/ 1952 McKinney 108-94 FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

